Cockbags, as I have lost all respect for the nut rats, ie squirrels, that cruze this site, this goes out to the fellers that have gone riding with me on my big bike. For the cheap seats, the KTM not the Fantic. So, it's leaving, I have got it down to a replacement, 2002ish 520 Kant Touch Me and a Yameehaw 2006 yz 450f I think. I'm pretty much going to beat three shades of shit out of this, as I did with my current KTM, one of these will be the second dirt bike I have ever owned. As I won't be able to test ride either real proper like, whas the thorts? Are both of them going to bore the piss out of me?

Cockbags, as I have lost all respect for the nut rats, ie squirrels, that cruze this site, this goes out to the fellers that have gone riding with me on my big bike. For the cheap seats, the KTM not the Fantic. So, it's leaving, I have got it down to a replacement, 2002ish 520 Kant Touch Me and a Yameehaw 2006 yz 450f I think. I'm pretty much going to beat three shades of shit out of this, as I did with my current KTM, one of these will be the second dirt bike I have ever owned. As I won't be able to test ride either real proper like, whas the thorts? Are both of them going to bore the piss out of me?

Damn WaterMan you sound like a DIT grad! "Cockbags"? My buddy has a 520...fine for short romps....beats the shit out of him on long hauls and tank is small on his...I KC135 him with some of my fuel to get him home...YZ? 450F...hear good things about them but have never ridden one...have fun with the selection and don't get bored!

Doesn't need plates, fast and stupid would be bitchin. I think it would be cheaper to get an older 520 KTM and legalize it. I'm putting a couple grand budget on this, but if the right ride comes along...

Cockbags, as I have lost all respect for the nut rats, ie squirrels, that cruze this site, this goes out to the fellers that have gone riding with me on my big bike. For the cheap seats, the KTM not the Fantic. So, it's leaving, I have got it down to a replacement, 2002ish 520 Kant Touch Me and a Yameehaw 2006 yz 450f I think. I'm pretty much going to beat three shades of shit out of this, as I did with my current KTM, one of these will be the second dirt bike I have ever owned. As I won't be able to test ride either real proper like, whas the thorts? Are both of them going to bore the piss out of me?

I'm used to a heavy powerful bike in single track, anything I get will be lighter. I may start looking for a plated bike just for ease of use crossing fire roads and such.

you might think about going with a good used KTM EXC that is plated for your state. There are a lot of great deals on the EXC`s and most of them have a bunch of good stuff already done to them. KTM`s come with all the good components and race ready out the door new.

Then again if you want brute power and good suspension go with the all mighty "KX-500". Your won`t lose a drag race thats for sure.

I went with the 690R enduro and love the bike. It does come in at 310 lbs but does not feel like it. Does really good off road and it eats up the twisty roads on the street yet will do well over 100mph and still get 50 mpg. My race days are over but when I ride the 690 it leaves me smiling big time. Stock it comes with 65 hp, top of the line suspension, brakes, controls, rims and everything else about it.

Both the yz and KTM exc are great bikes but very different, Both very reliable,the YZ will have
more punch with the 520 being a little slow,but more trackable power.
If you can get a 525 they are quite a bit more worthy. I can remember riding my old 02 520 after having the 06 525 for about a year. after a quick ride I was asking myself how the heck did I ride that bike for so long, it felt heavy and quite porky

The YZ can make a good trail bike with some mods. The KTM is a great trail bike right out of the box

I saw your trusty 950 on Craigslist and wondered what would be next for ya. I've not ridden either of the bikes your looking at but I can tell you my 2003 yamaha is ultra reliable, and the market is flush with them making them cheap to pick up. Looks like I'll be selling my plated wr250f to get a 2007 yz250f. The YZ is so much lighter than the WR, I don't need a 450 though. I've read the fuel injected YZ450 can be electronicly tuned for smooth power or the big hit of a stick of dynamite.
As other folks pointed out both bikes are reported to be great.